Romeo & Juliet - Duke of York's Theatre

[lamusical]

Jun 25, 2024 12:17:32 GMT fiyerorocher said:

The second act of this terrible regardless of your opinions of Lloyd's style, in my opinion. It just dragged. I've never been more excited for Juliet to finally pick up that dagger (metaphorically, here, of course, because there is not one single prop).

Agreed. I really wanted to like this, however it was painful to get through. The second act especially.

[Being Alive]

I cannot tell you the last time I was that bored in a theatre.

There's probably a good version of it in there somewhere, but as I felt with Jamie Lloyd shows (with the exception of Sunset) - concept above all else, including the material.
Didn't believe anyone gave a sh*t about anyone else (which, in the greatest love story of all time, is an issue.)

Spiderman was good.
Francesca was good.
Freema was good.

That second act is bordering on unwatchable though.

2.5 stars if I did halves, rounded down to 2 stars because honestly, life's too short.

[mrbarnaby]

I don’t remember there being an interval when I saw this. Am I mistaken?

Maybe my brain had given up with the boredom of it all so I didn’t notice.

[blamerobots]

Time to see what the big deal is then. Seeing it tonite

[Rory]

Jun 26, 2024 6:53:29 GMT mrbarnaby said:

I don’t remember there being an interval when I saw this. Am I mistaken?

Maybe my brain had given up with the boredom of it all so I didn’t notice.

There was an interval last Thursday.

[jaqs]

Jun 26, 2024 6:53:29 GMT mrbarnaby said:

I don’t remember there being an interval when I saw this. Am I mistaken?

Maybe my brain had given up with the boredom of it all so I didn’t notice.

Maybe you did the right thing and went home rather than look for the loo, or perhaps you slept through it.
I’m sure the preshow and interval noise were to keep people awake.

[lolaluffneggle]

They say large bags aren’t allowed into the auditorium but give no specifics on what size they deem as large. Does anyone have any insight? Is a tote sized handbag large?

[Rory]

Jun 26, 2024 13:53:47 GMT lolaluffneggle said:

They say large bags aren’t allowed into the auditorium but give no specifics on what size they deem as large. Does anyone have any insight? Is a tote sized handbag large?

No bigger than a rucksack / backpack. I had one of these and it went under the seat.

[Being Alive]

My rucksack went under my seat (just) but god I'd forgotten how attrocious the legroom in the upper circle of the DOY is

[marob]

Jun 26, 2024 6:53:29 GMT mrbarnaby said:

I don’t remember there being an interval when I saw this. Am I mistaken?

Maybe my brain had given up with the boredom of it all so I didn’t notice.

The preview I went to had a brief and very loud clip of a bloody Tom Holland running through somewhere backstage with a camera strapped to him like something out of Requiem for a Dream.

I remember it because people laughed, so maybe they changed it.

[Being Alive]

Jun 26, 2024 15:50:41 GMT marob said:

Jun 26, 2024 6:53:29 GMT mrbarnaby said:

I don’t remember there being an interval when I saw this. Am I mistaken?

Maybe my brain had given up with the boredom of it all so I didn’t notice.

The preview I went to had a brief and very loud clip of a bloody Tom Holland running through somewhere backstage with a camera strapped to him like something out of Requiem for a Dream.

I remember it because people laughed, so maybe they changed it.

Oh was that the bit before the interval? We laughed at that last night too.

[blamerobots]

Oh, Jamie... what happened...

[blamerobots]

I think everyone should buy tickets for this and see it because I don't think words can do justice to how horrifically boring this show is and I think the only way to communicate my pain is the collective pain of others.

[Rory]

Jun 26, 2024 21:12:35 GMT blamerobots said:

I think everyone should buy tickets for this and see it because I don't think words can do justice to how horrifically boring this show is and I think the only way to communicate my pain is the collective pain of others.

It's a dull production. My dud of the year so far.

[aspieandy]

Jun 26, 2024 21:12:35 GMT blamerobots said:

I think everyone should buy tickets for this and see it because I don't think words can do justice to how horrifically boring this show is and I think the only way to communicate my pain is the collective pain of others.

Is it still getting a partial SO?

[blamerobots]

Jun 26, 2024 21:35:36 GMT aspieandy said:

Jun 26, 2024 21:12:35 GMT blamerobots said:

I think everyone should buy tickets for this and see it because I don't think words can do justice to how horrifically boring this show is and I think the only way to communicate my pain is the collective pain of others.

Is it still getting a partial SO?

About 3 people in the upper circle tonight stood up and awkwardly looked about at a crowd of bored onlookers all using their little letter sized programs to fan themselves. I couldn't even bring myself to peer downstairs because I was so saddened by this production that I just wouldn't want to even contemplate how fellow humans could leap to their feet in genuine rapturous applause. It must have been the heat.

Talked to two people on the way out who both answered with "I'm thinking about it" with very unsure faces. They were, however, both glad they only paid £25 each.

TL;DR: It's hot up here. It's hot and it's monotonous. I want my glasses.

EDIT: If you're the couple who sat behind me and my friend and you're reading this, I am so sorry that I was giggling through most of the very deadpan serious scenes at the end of Act 2. For some reason, I think productions like this where I become absolutely bored out my mind send me off the deep end in no way I can really logically explain. Nothing like this has happened since years ago when I saw Harry Potter.

[mrbluesky]

Was also in last night.

This was…well. I went in knowing it had been divisive, and I can honestly say it’s the first Jamie Lloyd production I’ve considered leaving part way through.

The whispering, the camera work, the mics, it all just seemed, as beingalive says, concept above all else.

Thought Freema and Francesca were good, thought Tom could be better.

All in all, not a fan of this.

[fiyerorocher]

Oh I'd blocked out that whispering from the start. There was so much stifled laughter around me. I worried the whole play might be like that!

[happysooz2]

I’ve just returned two tickets for tonight’s performance if anyone is looking. Just sat through Shrew at the Globe and I cannot bear any more Shakespeare today.

[BurlyBeaR]

Jun 27, 2024 16:08:00 GMT happysooz2 said:

I’ve just returned two tickets for tonight’s performance if anyone is looking. Just sat through Shrew at the Globe and I cannot bear any more Shakespeare today.

I think there should be an International Year of No Shakespeare. Just give the whole bloody lot a year off. 

[Talisman]

Yes please!!!!!!

[ceebee]

But what would the Royal Company do?

[claireyfairy1]

I laughed a few times during it as well, particularly the voiceover bit in Act II which I'm sure people who have seen it will know when I mean and it's not spoilery enough to impact anyone that hasn't seen it yet.

I took two friends who like Tom Holland and aren't really theatrey and honestly I hate it when this happens because I know theatre can be amazing and transformative and exciting. I thought it would put them off seeing any Shakespeare ever again, but they've asked to come to RII at the Bridge for Jonathan Bailey so... I really hope that's better and they start wanting to see theatre for theatres sake because R&J has surely done nothing for their interest in seeing anything without an a-lister.

[Sam]

Where was the acting in this? It felt like they were recording an audiobook on stage. Don't get me started on the stand mics....

SPOILER: Click to show

{Spoiler - click to view}
When the Nurse is trying to wake Juliet, why is Juliet sitting on at the front of the stage, and the Nurse right at the back facing the back?

[Rory]

Jun 28, 2024 13:32:02 GMT claireyfairy1 said:

I laughed a few times during it as well, particularly the voiceover bit in Act II which I'm sure people who have seen it will know when I mean and it's not spoilery enough to impact anyone that hasn't seen it yet.

I took two friends who like Tom Holland and aren't really theatrey and honestly I hate it when this happens because I know theatre can be amazing and transformative and exciting. I thought it would put them off seeing any Shakespeare ever again, but they've asked to come to RII at the Bridge for Jonathan Bailey so... I really hope that's better and they start wanting to see theatre for theatres sake because R&J has surely done nothing for their interest in seeing anything without an a-lister.

Can you DM or spoiler about the voice-over bit? I saw it just last week and have forgotten what this was already and am now curious!